CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE KNEE-JOINT. 
549 
form of the disease is frequently of a tuberculous nature, treatment is 
seldom of much value, and animals should he prepared for the butcher. 
As a rule, little can be done for the hard form of “ capped knee,” unless 
the swelling is marginated, of slight size, and has not too broad a basis, 
in which case it may sometimes be extirpated, but it is difficult to keep 
the parts aseptic. Perhaps, by repeatedly applying a blister, the parts 
might be rendered so painful that the animal would be obliged, in lying 
down and rising, to spare the diseased leg, and absorption might then 
occur, as it sometimes does in “ capped elbow.” The introduction of 
euphorbium or caustics like sublimate and acids into the swelling, is 
liable to injure the articulation. 
III.—CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE KNEE-JOINT. 
Chronic inflammation of the knee, arthritis chronica, occurs oftenest 
in horses, and has long been recognised. Cherry described it under the 
title of “ knee spavin.” Schrader found the articular surface more or 
less “ degenerated,” the cartilage worn away, and exostoses on the bones. 
He also described ulceration of the cartilage of the joint, caries of and 
exostoses on the bones, and anchylosis. According to Cherry, the 
os lunare and head of the large metacarpal may alone suffer, but the 
inflammation generally extends further. 
Causes. Horses with narrow, imperfectly-formed knees, short fore 
arms and upright shoulders, appear most predisposed to the con¬ 
dition, possibly on account of the peculiarly exaggerated movement 
in the knee-joint which such formation favours. Russian trotters 
display this form and action most conspicuously, and also very 
frequently suffer from chronic carpitis. Not infrequently the disease 
is bilateral; it is certainly more common in coarse than in well-bred 
animals, and is favoured by putting young horses to work too soon. 
Inflammation may extend from the periosteum to the joint, particularly 
in horses with defective formation, which are thus liable to “brush” 
in going, as is often the case in Russian trotters. 
Symptoms. Swelling is the chief symptom, and is sometimes so great 
that the entire joint may appear deformed. The swelling is usually 
hard and firm, consisting principally of exostoses and new connective 
tissue, but when the sheaths of the tendons are involved, and become 
distended, it is soft and fluctuating. Free movement of the joint is 
often interfered with. When resting, the animals lean forward, and 
if forced to move go stiffly. Bending the knee either produces pain or 
is attended with difficulty ; but in applying this test to the two limbs 
care should be taken to have the elbow-joints in the same position. 
Lameness may or may not be present. It occurs oftener than is 
